Lambert doesn't have to sell

04 January 2013 02:24

Viewed : 66

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert insists he is under no pressure to sell any players during the January transfer window, including Darren Bent.

Bent could make his comeback from a hamstring injury in Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with his former club Ipswich at Villa Park after returning to training.
The England international had lost his role as senior striker to Christian Benteke before suffering the injury setback in the Capital One Cup clash with Norwich three weeks ago.

"I don't need to get rid of anybody at the club at all," Lambert said.

"I don't need to do it. It's not something I've thought about.

"If a player hasn't played a few games, people automatically think that is what is going to happen.

"But I've never come out and said anything. I thought Darren looked okay at Norwich before his hamstring went."

Bent has been linked with fellow strugglers QPR and Fulham plus mid-table West Ham.
But when suggested to Lambert that it would be daft to offload Bent to a relegation rival, he said:

"Of course it would."
Lambert has to decide whether to give another cup outing to goalkeeper Shay Given, who has helped Villa to the Capital One Cup semi-finals, or stick with Brad Guzan, who has been his first choice in the Barclays Premier League.
He said:

"Shay has been brilliant in the cup and Brad has been fantastic in the league. It is something I'll look at. Every time Shay has played, he has been excellent.

"He kept us in the game at Norwich in the quarter-finals to be honest at 1-1. He has been huge for us. Whichever keeper I play, I'll have no problem. It is an area in which we are strong, two very good keepers.

"The goals we've conceded recently in the league (17 in four games), I don't think it's been Brad Guzan's fault.

"If it wasn't for him, it would have been 34. I think Shay would be the first to appreciate that Brad has not been at fault for any of the goals."